Moscow 2009: Televoting/jury mix in Final voting

The EBU Reference Group of the Eurovision Song Contest have decided to introduce a voting model of a mix between televoting and jury votes in the 2009 Final. The decision has been greatly welcomed from broadcasters and fans.

No change will be made in the voting during the Semi-Finals of the Eurovision Song Contest. The outcome was the result of lengthy considerations and detailed discussion on a wide variety of models. Details on the balance between jury and televoting outcome are still to be determined in the months to come.

Ruurd Bierman, Chairman of the Reference Group, explained the decision: "We strongly believe in televoting as a way of measuring the opinion of our millions of viewers across Europe. After the public debate about neighbor- and diaspora voting, we decided to give the national juries a say in the outcome of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest."

A survey amongst delegation heads from represented countries revealed that a majority is in favor of such mixed model. Earlier today, they were informed about the outcome of the Reference Group meeting in Moscow.

A mixed voting system also has great support amongst the fans of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Televoting has faced much critism a lot since all 43 countries had 100% televoting since the semi finals were introduced in 2004. Televoting was introduced to a few countries who were able to provide the voting technology in 1997. Over the years some countries have done a 50/50 jury and public voting while others have done 100% televoting.

It is still unclear though if all countries taking part will be able to vote in final regardless if they did not qualify.

Read the report from eurovision.tv

[Update] BBC News UK covers the story
[Update] RTE News Ireland covers the story